Rockland Public Schools Honor Retiring Teachers for Decades of Service

Patricia Boyle and Karen Messier Recognized for 30 Years Each, Monica Babcock Retires After 15 Years

ROCKLAND, MA - May 28 - Rockland Public Schools celebrates the retirement of several long-serving teachers, including Monica Babcock, who retires after 15 years with the district. Patricia Boyle and Karen Messier, both currently at Phelps Elementary School, are also retiring after starting their careers with Rockland Public Schools in 1994.

"Congratulations, and I know my own kids would be saying that to you as well," says a school committee member, acknowledging Babcock's impact on students throughout her tenure.

The school committee expresses gratitude for the retiring teachers' dedication and service to the district. "Thank you so much for having your careers here with Rockland Public Schools," a member states. "We appreciate you and enjoy your retirement."

In other news, Rockland High School's spring sports teams shine, with the lacrosse and softball teams advancing to the postseason. The softball team, under the leadership of Mr. LaCourie, secures a significant win, generating excitement among the players and the school community.

Dr. Krohn, the superintendent, congratulates the teams on their successful seasons, particularly highlighting the achievements of the lacrosse and softball teams. "It's great to see Mr. LaCourie taking over that program and having success," he remarks. "Great for the kids."

The school committee meeting also features a presentation by Sue Wells, the librarian at Phelps Elementary School. Wells shares the library's mission of providing engaging books, inspiring a love for reading, and teaching the social studies curriculum. She highlights the library's impressive circulation statistics, with 13,200 physical books and 4,300 digital books checked out through the Sora app.

Wells emphasizes the library's role in providing hands-on learning experiences, such as the giant inflatable globe from Bridgewater State and traveling trunks filled with historical replicas. "Thanks to the Rockland Educational Foundation, we've been able to do some really great hands-on stuff this year," she says.

The library's collection has undergone significant improvements, with the addition of books in various languages, including Portuguese, Arabic, Haitian Creole, French, and Spanish. Wells expresses excitement about the expanded Brazilian Portuguese collection, noting the positive impact on students who can maintain fluency in their native language.

Looking ahead, Wells plans to introduce more robust programming, including a sign language club and book clubs. "Hopefully next year, you'll see a lot more in the library space," she says. "It's a great space, so it's nice."

The school committee commends Wells for her efforts in transforming the library into a vibrant and engaging learning environment. "Taking the being the librarian to a whole different level," a member remarks. "Our kids are lucky to have you."

In a bittersweet announcement, Dr. Krohn informs the committee that Dr. Harrison, the high school principal, will be leaving Rockland Public Schools after eight years to become the principal of Taunton High School. Dr. Krohn praises Dr. Harrison's remarkable job and expresses gratitude for his contributions to the district.

"He has exceeded my expectations on a daily basis," Dr. Krohn states. "He will be missed." The superintendent plans to announce the process for replacing Dr. Harrison in the coming days, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder input in selecting a new leader.

As the school year draws to a close, the school committee extends well wishes to students and staff for the remaining weeks, including finals, MCAS exams, field trips, and field days. They also congratulate the graduating class of 2024 and remind the community of upcoming events such as Rockland Day on June 15 and kindergarten screening on June 11 and 13.